The Gatton Mystery.

Manawatu Herald, 23 March 1899, Page 2

The Gatton Mystery.

Sydney files containing a oou its of the Gatton enquiry show that h whereabouts of M'Neill, brother-in-law of the victims, on the nigh ti crim-** is being closely enquired in o. lie was staying with the Murphy th-i*, night, and retired with the ci of the household about 9 p.m., and was h<.*ard moving about for some ime after. He was the first to Ih cover the bodies next morni >g. A peculiar feature of the enquiry is thp se -m ng reluctance of the Mi-pby family to give evidenc . -i ct*nt*y we had it announced that. M'Neill had refused to allow bis «rtl', who was a Miss Murphy, to evidence, and the reports in th u-ciaiian paper* show tbat Othello tubers of the family are equally >a -kward. Here is an extract from the proceedings :— *' John Murphy kva-* men called, and did not answer nis nitnti. Inspector U quhart said

« These people are giving too much (.rouble. They know they have to ba here from day to day.' The police magistrate remarked — ' Iv is aot nice foe the family to treat the

enquiry in this way, as they should do ali they could to assist the police.' William Murphy, brother of the viotim.9, was called and gave evidence After witness had been questioned about what M'N'ill said when he returned to Gatton, Inspector Urquhart, addressing hira, said — D io't tieat this in Mich a cruel way Be careful ; tell ex-acly what wa*said.' The police magiHtrate— ' I cannot understand why yon pop Jjn'*c recognise tUu gravity ,;f tli-.---m-ittei'. You givo un>wer-J in « h ph.izird way, and sora times giv. answers before the quoetiens are pat,' "